Konica Minolta Cup set for big kick off

Dreams of playing next May's Konica Minolta Cup final will spur on the 192 Welsh clubs who do battle in the opening round this weekend...

Former giants of Welsh rugby are in action when Penarth travel to Neath-club Banwen and South Wales Police are the guests at Aberdare.

One club looking to repeat their heroics of the 2005/2006 campaign is Nant Conwy, who visit Brecon.

The Division Four North club beat Maesteg Quins, Hirwaun, Tylorstown and Rhydyfelin to become the only side outside of the top two divisions to reach the last 16 last season. Their dream was eventually ended with a fifth-round defeat by Builth Wells.

Another of last season's surprise packages, Welsh District club Bryncethin Sports, beat Bala and Seven Sisters before a third-round defeat to Principality Premiership outfit Caerphilly. They launch this year's campaign at home to Ammanford,

There are eleven other Welsh District clubs in the draw, with at least one guaranteed to progress, as Cardiff Medicals host Aberystwyth University at Llanrumney.

Carmarthen Athletic finished in fourth spot in Two West last season, but were knocked out of the cup at the first stage by Tonna. This year they travel to Llantwit Major, of Four South West, hoping to improve on last year's
performance.

Llantwit Fardre, who, like Athletic narrowly missed out on promotion to Division One last season, host Nantyffyllon of Division Three (South West). They were handed a walk over at this stage last year, before eventually succumbing to UWIC in Round Three.

Seven Sisters, who were top scorers at this stage last year, are visited by Briton Ferry. The Division Two West side crushed St Clears 101-0 in last year's first round, before crashing out to Bryncethin in Round Two.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed that he was satisfied with the two wins from four games during the autumn's Under Armour Series. WRU TV recaps the matches against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The All Blacks may be missing their captain Kieran Read, but Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde is wary of the world champions as they will want to finish their year on a positive note and maintain their unbeaten streak on tour.

Rhys Webb is 'over the moon' to be be starting this weekend as Wales seek a rare victory against New Zealand but the Ospreys scrum half is confident of a positive result so long as his team can stay in the game and concentrate fully for 80 minutes.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde, No 8 Seb Davies and captain Dan Lydiate believe there is enough experience and potential within the squad to brush aside the challenge of Georgia tomorrow at Principality Stadium.